(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Jazz head coach Quin Snyder speaks about Donovan Mitchell's put back dunk in game 2 during the press conference prior to game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018.(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni speaks about how Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles' game was sneaky during the press conference prior to game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni speaks about how Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles' game was sneaky during the press conference prior to game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder (99) warms up as the Utah Jazz get ready take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Fans cheer on the team as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) talks with assistant coach Zach Guthrie as the Utah Jazz get ready to take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Ricky Rubio (3) shoots around the court as the Utah Jazz get ready to take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) is alone with his thoughts during the national anthem prior to game 3. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Ricky Rubio (3) sits on the bench during the first period as The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) is introduced. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder (99) tries to block the shot of Houston Rockets forward PJ Tucker (4) during first half play. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Ricky Rubio (3) loos on from the bench during a disastrous first half. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Pre game introductions. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) tries to block the shot of Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) during first half play. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder (99) looks back to see Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) make a reverse layup during first half play. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) takes his usual pre game leap off the chairs during warm ups. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets center Nene Hilario (42) is fouled during first half play. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018. Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) tries to block the shot of Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) during first half play. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Fans have fun with the Take Note banner during pre game. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) drives in for an easy shot during first half play. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) shoots after driving through the Houston defense during first half play. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder yells to his team during a disastrous first half. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) tries to disrupt the 3-point shot of Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during first half play. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder (99) defends Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) during first half play. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Jazz fans have fun during a time out. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) slices in for an easy layup during first half play. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) takes the court prior to game 3 against the Jazz. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Take Note banner is displayed by fans prior to game 3. The Houston Rockets led the Utah Jazz 70-40 at the half of game 3, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) had 10 points and 8 assists in the first half as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) encircles Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) knocks the ball from Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) is charged with a foul as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Fans cheer on a dunk by Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz center Ekpe Udoh (33) and the bench celebrate the play of Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale (23) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) knocks the ball from Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) is denied the shot by Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum (11) makes a save as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Jazz try to get back on the board as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Raul Neto (25) gets some encouragement from Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) shoots around Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) tries to get past Houston Rockets guard Gerald Green (14) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale (23) hits the net as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder talks with Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum (11) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder questions a call by official Ron Garretson as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum (11) fights to get past Houston Rockets guard Gerald Green (14) and Houston Rockets center Nene Hilario (42) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) dunks on Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3)as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) denies Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) had 12 points and 5 assists in the first half as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Fans offer words of caution as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder (99) fights past Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) is pressured by Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Rockets take the court as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder (99) was held to 6 points in the first half as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) was held to 2 points in the first half as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder (99) fights past Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) as the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) reacts as he sits on the bench in the 4th quarter. The Houston Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 113-92 in game 3 of their playoff series, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) calls for a two shot foul from the referees during second half play. The Houston Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 113-92 in game 3 of their playoff series, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder (99) battles under the hoop during second half play. The Houston Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 113-92 in game 3 of their playoff series, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum (11) drives during second half play. The Houston Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 113-92 in game 3 of their playoff series, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) tries to get a could call from referee Marc Davis during second half play. The Houston Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 113-92 in game 3 of their playoff series, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Raul Neto (25) drives for a layup against Houston Rockets center Nene Hilario (42) during second half play. The Houston Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 113-92 in game 3 of their playoff series, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Jazz fans who stayed till the end of the game try to make shooting free throws difficult during second half play. The Houston Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 113-92 in game 3 of their playoff series, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) A sight seen often for Jazz fans - Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) at the foul line. The Houston Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 113-92 in game 3 of their playoff series, Friday, May 4, 2018. (Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) reacts to the loss. The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) and Utah Jazz center Ekpe Udoh (33) pressure Houston Rockets guard Gerald Green (14) for a turnover. The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets forward PJ Tucker (4) pressures Utah Jazz forward Jonas Jerebko (8) and Utah Jazz guard Raul Neto (25). The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Rockets bench in the remaining minutes of the game. The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) gets the ball knocked away by Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27). The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts to the loss. The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) drives around Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum (11). The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets forward Tarik Black (28) fouls Utah Jazz center Ekpe Udoh (33). The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) knocks the ball away from Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale (23) The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) battles Utah Jazz guard Raul Neto (25). The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni. The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45), Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder (99) and Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) react to the loss. The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) had 25 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) screens Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) for teammate Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10). The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) drives to the net around Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27). The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder talks with the bench in the second half. The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts to second half play. The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Friday, May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City.

On Thursday morning following a Game 2 loss to the Utah Jazz, the Houston Rockets expressed little concern in surrendering home-court advantage in this Western Conference semifinals series.

Houston players and coaches said the Jazz lulled them to sleep, and a successful Game 3 on Friday night was as simple as playing 48 minutes of focused basketball. The Rockets said their problems didn’t stem from anything the Jazz did. Rather, they needed to play the way they normally did.

As it turns out, they were correct.

The Rockets strutted into Vivint Smart Home Arena on Friday night and took a 2-1 series lead, walloping the Jazz 113-92 in front of a sellout crowd that arrived for a party, but saw a good old fashioned whipping instead.

It wasn’t merely a loss for the Jazz. It was the kind of defeat that can take their soul for the remainder of the series if Sunday’s Game 4 isn’t different. Utah had the lead once, 3-0 on a Joe Ingles 3-pointer on the first possession of the game. The Rockets dominated from that point, running off the next eight points on the way to a 21-7 lead.

It was 39-22 at the end of the first quarter. It was 70-40 at halftime. And that wasn’t the biggest lead of the game for the Rockets, who reminded the Jazz on every possession of their season-long mastery of the NBA. The Rockets were determined defensively, not allowing Utah to run good sets or to generate good shots.

The Rockets were equally as dominant offensively, with James Harden (25 points, 12 assists and four rebounds) and Chris Paul showing veteran command of every possession. They played Utah like puppets, breaking into the paint off the dribble at will, finding shots for themselves or setting up teammates for wide open looks. One of the loudest arenas in the league during this postseason sat on its hands as the Rockets made shot after shot, the lead swelling with each torturous possession.

“We just played harder tonight,” Harden said. “Schemes and all that stuff is cool. But we played harder. We played for each other.”

At its apex, Houston held a 38-point lead. After the Ingles 3-pointer, the Jazz made one meaningful run during the remainder of the night, a string of nine consecutive points in the second quarter that brought them within 49-34. The Rockets quickly answered that with a run of their own and the game was non-competitive the rest of the way.

In taking the series lead, Houston showed why it won 65 games this season, earning the top playoff seed in the Western Conference. The Rockets put five players in double-figures, led by Harden and Eric Gordon’s 25 points.

They also flummoxed Utah star rookie Donovan Mitchell, forcing him into his worst game in months. Mitchell was 4 of 16 shooting from the field, scoring 10 points. He had three assists and one rebound in 31 minutes. Houston harassed him into bad shots and turnovers, and never allowed him space to find his jumper. They matched every step off the dribble, and the Jazz offense looked like a sailboat without a rudder.

“I didn’t really do much as a whole,” Mitchell said. “Like, I wasn’t there. That can’t happen. It’s like I would’ve been better off just not showing up. And that’s what I did today. I didn’t show up at all for my teammates. And I’ll fix it.”

In Game 2, Utah coach Quin Snyder made expert adjustments, leading to a surprise Jazz win. In Game 3, it was Houston coach Mike D’Antoni who made the adjustments.

Personnel-wise, D’Antoni kept Gordon on the floor with Paul and Harden much more than he had in the first two games. Having an extra creator in the lineup made Houston’s offense much more difficult for the Jazz to contain.

And D’Antoni went with more isolations and 1-4 sets offensively, clearing space at the top of the key and keeping guys on the baseline. This almost completely negated the defensive presence of Jazz center Rudy Gobert.

If the Jazz are to win Game 4 — or even be competitive — they may have to do so without Derrick Favors, who left in the third quarter after spraining his ankle. And the task of not allowing Houston’s Game 3 dominance seep into Sunday may be arduous, because it will take mental fortitude for the Jazz to move on in less than 48 hours.

Royce O’Neale led Utah with 17 points and five rebounds, his best playoff game so far. But he was the only Jazzman to play well in a game where the team and an entire state seemed overwhelmed by the visitors.

“I thought our defense was superb tonight,” D’Antoni said. “We were hitting shots all over the place. We kept the crowd out of it, kept them on their heels and you could just see the guys feeding off of good defense.”